"crow hop" 2004 Buick Rainier

[Retrofitter]

I have a 2004 Buick Rainier with crow hop problem intermittently. It has been doing this for about three years. I took it to the dealership to get repaired and of course it would not happen. It may go a couple weeks without showing up and it may do it every day for a while.

I had the motor/encoder assembly replaced last week. It was ok for about two days then it did it again a few times. I've tried everything that I can find out about it. Tires are all good and same air pressure. I changed the smurf oil in the transfer case.

Anyone have any ideas? Could the software need to be reloaded or possibly a bad wiring harness.

Surely someone else has had this same problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations.

I will add that vehicle is AWD if that is not understood.

[00Silverado4x4]

I apologize but I'm not familiar with what "crow hop" is. I might have a suggestion once I understand what your symptoms are.

[jaredlucky16]

What the hell is a crow hop?

[gmtech4]

stolen from google

 

"4WD can encounter what's called "crow hop". It's usually described as the vehicle jerks, hops, or binds when turning on dry pavement. "

[Retrofitter]

Govtech4 has the right idea. It only happens when turning at slow speeds forward or backwards as turning into a parking place or backing out. It acts as if it is in awd when it shouldn't be and as I said before in my OP, it is intermittent.

I really thought anyone that might have a fix would be familiar with the term, my apologies.

[00Silverado4x4]

...and now I know. No suggestions for a repair but apparently your front end is getting torque applied when it shouldn't be. Adjustment out of whack? Fluid change? Sorry I'm not familiar enough to make any educated guesses.

[gmtech4]

ok here is my take on it,,,

 

tire diameter can cause driveline bind,,,,

 

awd is just that ,,,all the time ,

 

if its intermitant you need to find away to duplicate it everytime so the dealer can help you ,

 

cold,warm day time temp,,,dry or wet pavement etc

 

look at tires as mentioned ,

 

do you have a diff lock ?? i cant remember if they do ..

 

i quick story if i may,(different truck)

 

customer (army driver ) says the rear diff is done ,i road test with her and she is in 4wd and is driving on what is called a fire guard(tilled dirt ),its deep loose sand dirt and as we left the fire guard,she manually shifts the tcase to 2wd and full turning onto ashphalt,well guess what ,that driveline was so bound up that the rear diff was chirping every half second untill ........she stopped and relaxed the driveline,all i could do was roll my eyes lol

 

your is obviously not like that but good luck to you ,,

 

duplication is the way to start for sure